Abijah smith



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

ABIJAH SMITH, OF KINGSTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GILEAD A. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TRUSS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 6,405, dated May 1, 1849.

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ABIJAH SMITH, of Kingston, in the county of Ulster' and State of New York, have invented a new and improved metallic truss and supporter with a novel mode of application adapted to cases o-f hernia in its various forms, inguinal, scrotal, femoral, or umbilical, for abdominal weakness and,spinal complaints, and diseases generally where mechanical support is required; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

The metallic truss and supporter is made of metallic round or oval wire, of suitable dimensions, galvanized, plated or otherwise, which I designate as the perineal wire, curved to a suitable form to lit the person, and bent or doubled at each end, see a, b, Fig. l so as to form a place upon which to attach the pad, of metal or other material at the point c Fig. 2, the extreme ends of the truss, projecting beyond the pads c, (l Fig. 2, three inches or more, are to be curved outwardly, so as not to touch the body above these points and to give a lever power for regulating the pressure where it is required; the pads c, CZ, Fig. 2, are to be secured by a screw or otherwise.

When the truss or supporter is adjusted to the body and the pads c and CZ Fig. 8 rest firmly in their proper places, the ends of the perineal wire spring off from the body, giving the lever power before mentioned by tightening or slackening the belts g, 7i Fig. 2; these belts are to be made in whole or in part of gum elastic or other material and attached at the point f, Figs. 2 and 3 above the back pad cl, and passing around the body, over the hips and buckling in front at e Figs. 2 and 3 thus securing the truss or supporter firmly to the person as delineated in Fig. 3.

For prolaps'us, a large pad may be attached to the perineal wire, of such size and shape as may be required, secured by a screw at or above the point c Fig. 2; this may be used as an abdominal supporter.

For prolapsus uteri or prolapsus ani, a pessary of shell, metal, or other substance may be secured to the perineal wire, by a sliding stud, at such point as may be required, secured by the shank of the pessary screwing into it and binding it firmly in its proper position.

When it is desired to be used for a spinal supporter, a suitable pad of proper dimensions maybe attached to the perineal wire above the back pad Z Fig. 2 and secured in its proper position by a screw or otherwise.

The rupture pads, whether for single or double hernia are designed to be attached to the perineal wire, by means of a screw at the point. c Fig. 2 and adjusted so as to bear upon the channel or channels o-f protrusion on the upper edge of the pubic bone.

The pad for double hernia must be so constructed as to present two points of bearing, but for single hernia only one point of bearing will be required unless to prevent a rupture on the opposite side.

The application of the metallic truss or supporter is as follows, viz: the perineal wire being curved to fit the person accu rately, so that the front pad c, Fig. 3, rests above the pubes, closing the avenue of protrusion by an upward support, passing thence between the legs, along the natural channel of the perineum, t-he back pad cl resting as near the lower vertebra as will allow the patient to sit down with comfort, the elasticity of the perineal wire, with the agency of the belts g, 7L, Fig. 2, retaining the pad firmly in their place and regulating the pressure by tightening or slackening them at pleasure.

lVhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*- 1. The mode of applying a truss or supporter constructed substantially as herein described.

2. And I also claim making the metallic or spring portion of the truss or supporter to be applied perpendicularly between the legs of round or oval wire in the manner and for the purpose herein described.

ABIJAH SMITH. [1.. s]

In presence of- JNo. O. T. SMITH, JAMES B, TAYLOR. 

